Farmington Teen, Hit By Car On Route 4, Dies

Police Said No Charges Are Expected Against the Driver

FARMINGTON — — To those who knew him, 14-year-old Mateusz Maciulewski was the kind of youngster who could make anyone laugh, as well as a good friend and a hardworking member of the high school crew team.

His life was cut short when he was hit by a car early Monday afternoon on Route 4.

Police said on Monday that he got off a CT Transit bus at Farm Glen Boulevard and tried to cross Route 4 near the UConn Health Center when he was hit by a car traveling east at about 12:40 p.m.

Laura Butterfield, head boys crew coach at Farmington High School, said Maciulewski had been coming home from a summer school class at the time.

Maciulewski was taken to Hartford Hospital, then transferred to Connecticut Children's Medical Center, where he was kept on life support for several hours so his two older brothers could fly in and say goodbye, Butterfield said.

He died Tuesday, according to hospital spokesperson.

The investigation into the accident is continuing. Police said Wednesday that the driver of the car that struck Maciulewski had a green light and that speed does not appear to be a factor.

Charges against the driver are not expected, police said, but they ask that witnesses or anyone with information about the crash call Farmington police at 860-675-2400.

Maciulewski would have started his sophomore year at Farmington High School in the fall, according to a letter administrators distributed to parents on Tuesday. The Twitter hashtag #prayforMateusz had gained momentum by midday Tuesday, with classmates and friends posting photos of the teen on Twitter and a Facebook memorial page, "RIP Mateusz Maciulewski."

Russell Creed, the first-year boys' crew coach at Farmington High, worked closely with Maciulewski for about four months after a group of friends convinced Maciulewski to try out for the team. Creed said he received a text message about 6 p.m. on Monday from Maciulewski's best friend saying Maciulewski had been in an accident and was in the intensive-care unit.

"I've only been a coach for two years. I've never really had to deal with something like this," Creed said. "Just hearing this is heartbreaking. It's just awful."

He and Butterfield described Maciulewski as a free spirit who was kind-hearted and always had a smile on his face. Both recounted a memory from the crew state championships this past spring, where Maciulewski came out to support his teammates even though he didn't make the championship team.

"He didn't make it into the boat, but he came anyway," Butterfield said. "He helped carry oars and loaded boats and cheered everyone on. That's the kind of kid he was.

"Sometimes you watch the news and it's like, 'Oh, there's another kid dead.' And that happens far too often. But [Maciulewski] was his own special person. If you think about Mateusz and his spirit, he wouldn't want us grieving for too long. He would want us, I think, to move forward and win some races for him."

Both Creed and Butterfield said they wondered if the accident happened because of the differences between a school bus, which has a stop sign and flashing red lights, and a city bus. They said Maciulewski might have started crossing the street without realizing traffic would continue whizzing by on that busy stretch of road.

"I was on your team, and though we only talked once at the awards ceremony at states, I could tell that I was talking to a kind, responsible, and caring person," said Alec Melone on the memorial Facebook page. "It's been said that the members of the crew team become your second family, and I feel like I've lost a brother. And I know every other member of the team feels the same. I wish I could have known you better, Mateusz."

Others left similar messages, sharing memories of their young friend, classmate or family member.

In an emailed statement to The Courant, Farmington High Principal Timothy Breslin said the school district was "deeply saddened" by Maciulewski's sudden passing.

"We are better to have known such a wonderful, caring young man. The thoughts and prayers of the Farmington school district community are with the Maciulewski family at this difficult time," he said.

Counselors will be available at the Farmington High guidance office on Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.